Photoflash lamp firing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A photographic camera having a photoflash lamp firing mechanism for percussive-type flashlamps. The lamp firing mechanism consists of a metal spring which is released from its energized position in response to operation of the camera shutter and strikes the percussive-type lamp to effect the firing thereof. The firing mechanism also has a setting member accessible from outside the camera casing for moving the metal spring to its energized position.

United States Patent [72] Inventors William C. Fink Williamsport;

John W Shaffer, Montoursville, Pa. [21] AppLNo. 707,649

[22] Filed Feb. 23, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 5,1971

[73] Assignee Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, N.Y. a corporation of NewJersey. by mesne assignment [54] PHOTOFLASH LAMP FIRING MECHANISM 95,267, 269, 270; 95/1 1, 11Lamp, 11.5

2,024,225 12/1935 lgari 431/93 2,049,735 8/1936 Grogin 95/1 1.5

2,498,277 2/1950 Kaplowitz.. 95/1 1.5

2,753,773 7/1956 Smith 95/1 1.5

2,972,937 2/1961 Suits 95/1 1.5

FOREIGN PATENTS I 405,248 1/1934 Great Britain 431/95 PrimaryExaminer-John M. Horan Assistant Examiner- Fred L. Braun Attorneys-Norman .1. 0M alley and Joseph C. Ryan [56] References Cited UNlTEDSTATES PATENTS 970,358 9/1910 Shoberg 431 97 1,083,749 1/1914 Lighthipe431/269X PATENTEDJAN 51971 3.552.287

SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. FINK JO w. SHAFF R B .7 n r ATTORNEPATENTEU JAN 5197: 3552-287 sum 2 OF 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. FINK JOHN W.SHAFFE ATTORNEY PI-IO'I'OFLASI-I LAMP FIRING MECHANISM This inventionrelates to photographic apparatus and more particularly to cameramechanisms designed to fire a fiashlamp with which the camera isprovided. I

For many years most cameras sold commercially have been provided with asource of electrical energy, such as dry cell batteries, which providethe means for energizing and firing flashlamps of the electric primertype. In some cases the batteries are located in a compartment providedtherefor within the main body of the camera whereas in other cases thebatteries are located in an attachment, usually called a flashgun.

More recently a percussive-type lamp has been suggested. Generallyspeaking, a percussive type photoflash lamp comprises an hermeticallysealed, light-transmitting envelope concomprises a metal shell withinwhich an anvil and a charge of vfulrliinating materials are disposed.

Operation of a percussive-type photofiash lamp is initiated by a firingpin which is caused to strike the primer cup or shell to promoteignition of the charge of fulminating material disposed therein.Deflagration of the charge ignites the shredded foil, the-combustion ofwhich is the source of the actinic light.

The firing mechanisms which have been suggested heretoforefor firinga-percussive-type photofiash lamp have been relatively complex. Theyusually include a hammer to actuate the firing pin, a hammer cockingmechanism, a hammer latching mechanism, etc. There are a multitude ofrather massive levers, axles and springs which have to be actuated whenthe firing mechanism is cocked; It takes quite a heavy spring toovercome the friction and to produce enough force to overcome-theinertia of the moving parts when the impact motion starts. The stoppingof the heavy parts also will produce a vibration in the camera housingwhich may produce a blur in the picture.

In view thereof, the principal object of this invention is to provide afiring mechanism forfpercussive-type photoflash lamps which isrelativelyfsimple in construction, relatively easy to operate'and ableto provide a high velocity impact without producing a disturbingvibration in the camera body.

This andother objects, advantages, and features are attained, inaccordance'with the principles of this invention by a firing mechanismwhich consists essentially of one moving part, a metal spring ofrectangular or circular cross section, moving with infinitesimalfriction at high velocity, firmly secured at one end thereof to a camerabody while the other end thereof is free and may carry a firing pinattached thereto preferably near the free end thereof. The energy isdelivered by releasing the spring from a bent position. The lamp is heldsecurely in a suitable socket in register with thefiring pin or theaccompanying drawings, FIG. '1 is a fragmentary, elevational view,partly in section, of a camera showing one modifistriking area of thespring. The final impact velocity and enercation of a springfiring'mechanism which may be employed with a percussive-type fiashlamp.

FIG. 2is a fragmentary, elevational view, partly in section, of a camerashowing another modification of a spring firing mechanism which may beemployed with a percussive-type flashlamp.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view, partly in section, of acamera showing another modification of a spring firing mechanism which'may be employed with a percussive-type flashlamp.

FIG. 4 is a detail in perspective of a lamp-spring firing mechanismassembly illustrating a firing mechanism of the type shown in FIG. 3adapted for use with a different type of percussive flashlamp than theone shown in FIGS. l3.

In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanyingdrawings, a photoflash lamp 2 of the percussivetype is supported on thetop face of a camera body 4, a fragmentary portion of which is shown.The lamp 2 comprises an hermetically sealed glass envelope 6 having aprimer secured thereto at one end thereof. .The primer comprises a metalshell or base 8 having a depending cup 10 within which an anvil and acharge of fulminating material are disposed. The lamp 2 is centrallylocated with respect to a reflector 12 on the top face of the camerabody and the depending cup 10 extends through an aperture providedtherefore in the camera body. A flat spring 14 having a rectangularcross section of about 0.005 inch X 0.25 inch is securely held at oneend thereof against an inside face of the camera body 4 by block 16.Ahardened firing pin 18 having a radius of about 15 mils is secured toor formed integral with the spring 14 near the free end thereof. A triphook 20 is pivotally mounted at 22 on an inside face of the camera body4. The crosspiece 24 of hook 20 latches with the free end of spring 14and holds the spring under tension. The leg 26 of book 20 lies between astop pin 28 which projects laterally from an inside face of the camerabody 4 and a spring 30 attached to block 32 on the bottom inside face ofthe camera body 4.

Cooking of the firing spring 14 is effected by operation of a cockinglever 13 pivotally mounted at one end thereof at 15 'on an inside faceof the camera 4. An operating handle 17,

secured to the other end of lever 13, extends through an elongated slot9 provided therefor in the camera body 4. Thus the handle 17 is readilyaccessible to the operator. A pin 19 projects laterally from the lever13 intermediate the ends thereof and overlies the firing spring 14. Thusin operation, the firing spring 14 is cocked by operation of the handle17. As the cooking lever 13 is rotated clockwise about its pivot 15 asviewed in FIG. 1, the pin 19 projecting therefrom deflects the firingspring 14, depressing it until the crosspiece 24 of hook 20 latches withthe free end thereof to hold the firing spring under tension. Spring 21returns cocking lever 13 to its normal rest position as shown in FIG. 1.Although a separate handle 17 for actuating the firing spring cockingmechanism has been illustrated and described, it will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that the firing pin cockingmechanism, and more particularly the means for actuating it, could wellbe combined with the film transport and cocking of the shutter of thecamera which are not shown here.

Release of the firing spring 14 may be effected in combination with theshutter release of the camera by operation of a spring-loaded plunger23. The plunger 23 extends through the trip the hook 20 to release thefiring spring 14. Thus, as

shown, the shutter release and the firing spring are tripped practicallysimultaneously. Since, in some circumstances, it may be desirable toprovide a time delay insofar as releasing the firing spring 14 isconcerned, all that is necessary is to shorten the plunger 23 thedesired amount so that the collet 27 trips the shutter release lever 29before the free end of the plunger 23 makes contact with and trips thehook 20.

When the cocked firing spring 14 is released by the trip.

hook 20, it moves quite rapidly until the pin 18 thereon hits the cup"-of the primer with a high impact velocity, of the order of 500 to 6,000cms./sec., for example, depending upon the length of the spring, itscross section and its elastic properties, to thereby promote ignition ofthe charge of fulminating material disposed therein. Deflagration of thecharge ignites the shredded foil 7 with which the lamp is providedtothereby flash" the lamp. At this time the leg 26 of the trip hook isover against the stop pin 28 and is returned to the FIG. 1 position whenthe firing spring 14 is cocked again.

FIG. 2 modification is similar to that of FIG. 1 except that the spring14 is only about half as long and is a straight, single leg memberrather than an L shaped member as in FIG. 1. Corresponding componentshave been identified with the same reference numbers primed.

In the FIG. 3 modification, the front face of a camera body 40 isprovided with a niche 42 having a reflecting face and a percussive-typeflashlamp 44 is securely seated therein. The lamp 44 has a primersecured thereto at one end thereof, said primer comprising a metal shellor base 46 having 21 depending cup 48 within which an anvil and a chargeof fulminating material are disposed. A spring 50 is securely held atone end thereof in a block 52 secured to the camera body 40, and afiring pin 54 is located at the free end thereof.

Cooking of the firing spring 50 is effected by operation of a cockinglever 33 pivotally mounted at one end thereof at 35 on an inside face ofthe camera 40. An operating handle 37 secured to the lever 33 extendsthrough an elongated slot 39 provided therefor in the camera body. A pin41, projecting laterally from the lever 33, overlies the firing spring50'.- Thus in operation the firing spring 50 is cocked by operation ofthe handle 37. As the cocking lever 33 is rotated counterclockwise aboutits pivot 35 as viewed in FIG. 3, the pin 41 projecting therefromdeflects the firing spring 50, depressing it until it interlocks with'acocking latch 43. Spring 31 returns cocking lever 33 to its normal restposition as shown in FIG. 3. Latch 43 is supported on a pair of fixedpins 45 which extend through an elongated slot 47 therein. The latch 43is urged forward by spring 49 and is free to reciprocate on the pins 45within the limits defined by the slot 47. Although a separate handle 37for actuating the firing spring cocking mechanism has been illustratedand described, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in theart, as noted above in the description of the FIG. 1 modification, thatthe firing'pin cocking mechanism, and more particularly the means foractuating it, could well be combined with the film transport and cockingof the shutter of the camera which are not shown here.

Release of the firing spring 50 may be effected in combination with theshutter release of the camera by operation of a spring-loaded plunger 64slidably supported in bushings 60 and 62. The inner, free end of theplunger 64 normally abuts the latch 43. A collet 61 secured to theplunger 64 lies in the path of and engages shutter release lever 63.Thus when an operator depresses the plunger 64 to take a picture, thecollet 61will trip the shutter release lever 63and the inner end of theplunger will displace the latch 43 a distance sufficientto permit thefiring spring 50 to snap free therefrom, strike the primer and ignitethe charge of fulrninating material disposed therein. Deflagration ofthe charge ignites the shreddedfoil with which the lamp is provided tothereby flash" the lamp.

As mentioned above in the brief description of the FIGS. the lamp ofFIG. 4 is of a different type than the one shown in FIGS. 1-3 but thefiring mechanism associated therewith is the same in principle as thatshown" in FIG. 3 and described above. The lamp 70 comprises anhermetically sealed, lighttransmitting envelope 71 having a quantity ofshredded foil 72 disposed therein and a primer tube 73 dependingtherefrom. The lamp 70 is supported on a firing clock 74 with the primertube 73 thereof seated in a groove 75 provided therefor in the block.The lamp 70 is retained in position by a spring 76 secured at one endthereof to the firin block'74 and having an elongated slot 77 therein,particular y in'the portion thereof which overlies the primer tube 73.The firing mechanism, of the type shown in FIG.3, includes a firingspring 78 secured at one end in a mounting block 79 and heldunfder'tension at the other end by cocking latch 80. The firingspring-'78 may be round or some other shape in cross section and neednot be provided with a firing pin. As shown in .FIG. 4 the firing'springitself is designed to strike thep'rirner tr be at a" point where theprimer tube is exposed by theeloi gated slot '77 in' the spring 76.

We claim:

1. A photographic camera for exposingfil m recerfiibl in the camera andusable with disposable phbio'fiash lamps; the lamps including ahennetically sealed envelope containing combustible material; the camerabeing adapted to be'h and held and comprising: i

a casing; a H

means for removably receiving a photoflash lamp" the casing;

a shutter mechanism in the casing operative to expose film receivable inthe camera;

a body releaseon the casing for effecting operation of the shuttermechanism; v I

a flash firing mechanism within the casing, said mechanism including acantilever spring having an'energized'condition from which thes'pring isreleasable to effect firing of the photoflash lamp, said mechanismincluding means for interconnecting'said spring and said body release inthe' energized condition'of said spring to release-the'spring andeffectfiring of the flashlamp in synch'ronism with operation ofthe'shutter mechanism; and

a setting lever accessible from-outside the casing and tiiovable from afirst position to a second position to return the; spring to the"energized condition after release of Said said spring is releasablydirectly to engagethe primer element.

4. A photographic camera as claimed in claim lfwherein said spring isreleasable to effect a striking force at a velocity of 500 to 6,000ems/sec.

5. A photographic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring is ofsubstantially rectangular cross section:

6. A photographic camera for exposing film and'usable with disposablephotoflash lamps; the lamps including a hermetically sealed envelopecontaining combustible: material; the camera being adapted to be handheld and comprising:

a casing; 7 1

means for receiving a photoflash lamp on the casing;

. a shutter mechanism in..the casing operative to expose film in thecamera; I I

a body release on the casing for effecting operation of the shuttermechanism; 7

a flash firing mechanism within the casing, said mechanism including a"cantilever spring having an energized position from which the spring'isreleasableto effect firing of the photoflash lamp; v

a latch positioned to engage and maintain said'spring in the energizedposition, said'latch being movable to release said spring; a v I f meansfor moving said latch to release "said spring in response to operationof said shutter mechanism by said body release;and

a setting member accessible from outside the casing for moving saidspring into latching engagement-with said latch to energize the spring.

1. A photographic camera for exposing film receivable in the camera andusable with disposable photoflash lamps; the lamps including ahermetically sealed envelope containing combustible material; the camerabeing adapted to be hand held and comprising: a casing; means forremovably receiving a photoflash lamp on the casing; a shutter mechanismin the casing operative to expose film receivable in the camera; a bodyrelease on the casing for effecting operation of the shutter mechanism;a flash firing mechanism within the casing, said mechanism including acantilever spring having an energized condition from which the spring isreleasable to effect firing of the photoflash lamp, said mechanismincluding means for interconnecting said spring and said body release inthe energized condition of said spring to release the spring and effectfiring of the flashlamp in synchronism with operation of the shuttermechanism; and a setting lever accessible from outside the casing andmovable from a first position to a second position to return the springto the energized condition after release of said spring bY saidinterconnecting means.
 2. A photographic camera as claimed in claim 1,wherein said photoflash lamp includes a percussive firing element, andsaid spring is releasable to engage the element to fire the lamp.
 3. Aphotographic camera as claimed in claim 2, wherein said firing elementis a percussively ignitable primer element located at the base of thehermetically sealed envelope, and said spring is releasably directly toengage the primer element.
 4. A photographic camera as claimed in claim1, wherein said spring is releasable to effect a striking force at avelocity of 500 to 6,000 cms/sec.
 5. A photographic camera as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said spring is of substantially rectangular crosssection.
 6. A photographic camera for exposing film and usable withdisposable photoflash lamps; the lamps including a hermetically sealedenvelope containing combustible material; the camera being adapted to behand held and comprising: a casing; means for receiving a photoflashlamp on the casing; a shutter mechanism in the casing operative toexpose film in the camera; a body release on the casing for effectingoperation of the shutter mechanism; a flash firing mechanism within thecasing, said mechanism including a cantilever spring having an energizedposition from which the spring is releasable to effect firing of thephotoflash lamp; a latch positioned to engage and maintain said springin the energized position, said latch being movable to release saidspring; means for moving said latch to release said spring in responseto operation of said shutter mechanism by said body release; and asetting member accessible from outside the casing for moving said springinto latching engagement with said latch to energize the spring.